Photo: Daily Maverick/Leila Dougan
On Monday night, 04 April 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the termination of the National State of Disaster in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ramaphosa announced that the National State of Disaster would be lifted effective Tuesday, 05 April 2022. However, several restrictions will still continue for 30 days before the government consults other legislation to guide its response to the pandemic.
Here are the regulations that will remain but will automatically lapse after 30 days:
– The wearing of masks will still be required in an indoor public space. This is necessary to prevent transmission in high-risk places, especially while many people remain unvaccinated.
– A mask is not required when outdoors.
– Existing restrictions on gatherings will continue as a transitional measure:
- This means that both indoor and outdoor venues can take up to 50 percent of their capacity without any maximum limit, provided that proof of vaccination or a COVID test not older than 72 hours is required for entrance to the venue.
- Where there is no provision for proof of vaccination or a COVID test, then the current upper limit of 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors will remain.
– Travellers entering South Africa will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. If a traveller does not submit a vaccine certificate or proof of a negative COVID-19 test, they will be required to do an antigen test on arrival. If they test positive for COVID-19, they will need to isolate for 10 days.
– The special R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant will remain in place. This will enable the Department of Social Development to finalise the regulations that will allow the payment of the grant to continue.
– Directions extending the validity of a learner’s licence, driving licence card, licence disc, professional driving permit and registration of a motor vehicle will remain in place.
Here are regulations that will fall away from Tuesday, 05 April 2022:
These include regulations on the isolation of persons, schools and access to old age homes, public transport, initiation practices, cargo transportation, and the criminalisation of non-adherence to these rules.
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